Please tell us your views on short breaks services for Merton children and young people with disabilities and their families.
The second consultation is open from 4 November to 1 December 2024.
Merton’s current short breaks offer
Short breaks are part of a range of services that support children and young people with disabilities and their families.
More information about Merton’s short breaks services
Consultation
During the July to September 2024 period, Merton Council asked for views on the current short breaks offer and changes people would like to see from September 2025. We received 137 responses. People told us that we should make changes to how we:
- publicise, assess, and deliver short breaks
- organise the type and number of short breaks we provide
This second consultation suggests some changes we are proposing to make to Merton’s short breaks offer. These changes have been informed by:
- what we were told during the first consultation
- our learning from other Councils about their short breaks offers
- other review work we have been doing
- our current financial position which means that we are having to think really carefully about how we use our limited funding as fairly as possible
We think that the changes we are proposing make the best use of the funding we have available and will support many families to receive a short break equitably.
You can read about the proposed changes here:
Short Breaks Consultation Document
Consultation timescale
The second consultation starts on Monday 4 November and runs until Sunday 1 December 2024.
How to have your say
Parents and Carers
- Complete the online survey for parents and carers
- Register to attend either an in-person or online meeting. Details are below:
| Date | Time | Venue and address | Booking details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14 November 2024 | 10am | Chaucer Centre, Canterbury Road, Morden SM4 6PX | Parents can book a place with: Tuhina Shaikh |
| 14 November 2024 | 6pm | Online | Parents can register for this meeting: Register to join the meeting on Zoom They will then receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. |
Children and young people with disabilities
- Complete the online survey for children and young people
- Participate in one of the engagement opportunities taking place in the borough in November 2024.
Professionals working with children and young people with disabilities and their families
What happens after the consultation
The responses will be looked at and findings will be shared with Merton Council's decision makers so they can decide to:
- continue with the proposals;
or - amend the proposals;
or - continue as is.